Hoda Kotb became emotional while telling Sandra Bullock that one moment in the American actress’s life changed the course of her own.
Kotb revealed that Bullock inspired her to pursue adoption after she had started believing she was too old to become a mother.
The former “Today” host shared the story during a conversation with Bullock and Nicole Kidman on her “Making Space” podcast.
Kotb recalled reaching a point around age 51 when she felt she had missed her chance to have children.
Ten years ago, I was upset, I was 51 and I realized I had missed the window to have children and I felt terrible about it.
Then Kotb saw news that Bullock had adopted her son Louis from New Orleans in 2010.
She immediately started looking for more information about the actress and her experience with adoption.
I had literally Googled, ‘How old is Sandra Bullock?’ and I went, ‘She is my exact age.’ I burst out into tears.
Kotb eventually contacted Bullock and asked what motherhood through adoption felt like.
Bullock’s answer gave Kotb the encouragement she needed.
Kotb recalled Bullock describing Louis playing in the backyard and then telling her:
It is the best thing I have ever done in my life.
That conversation pushed Kotb to take the next step.
She filled out the paperwork, received the call she had been waiting for and eventually became a mother to Haley Joy and Hope Catherine.
Kotb then looked at Bullock and summed up just how much that conversation changed her life.
She changed the course of my life. I now have a nine-year-old and a seven-year-old solely because of that moment.
Bullock became emotional as Kotb continued speaking and eventually stopped her from going further.
The actress later explained why she felt so strongly about sharing what adoption had brought into her life.
When you are fulfilled by your choices, you do not want to hide them, you do not want to gatekeep. You want to share them.
She also told Kotb that families do not have to follow one traditional path.
It is easy to limit ourselves in our wants and our desires. It is so easy with how loud it is out there.
For Kotb, Bullock’s decision to adopt did more than inspire her, as it helped convince her that motherhood had not passed her by.